# 1999 THOMAS THOMAS — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
> NHTSA complaint `362152` · 2002-07-12 · THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** Yes
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** THOMAS
- **Model:** THOMAS
- **Year:** 1999
- **Manufacturer:** THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
- **Component:** ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
## Narrative
WHILE TROUBLE SHOOTING A ENGINE FAILURE TO START PROBLEM,IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT INSIDE THE BATTERY BOX BEHIND THE BATTERIES THERE WERE SEVERAL PLASTIC FUSE HOLDERS INSTALLED,THESE HAD BEEN EATEN AWAY BY BATTERY ACID VAPORS.EXPOSING BARE HOT ELECTRICAL WIRES.THIS PROBLEM WAS  STARTED BY THE MANUFACTUER INSTALLING AN ALTERNATOR DESIGNED FOR USE WITH MAINTANCE FREE BATTERIES IN A SYSTEM WITH WATER TO ADD BATTERIES,WHICH REQUIRE A HIGHER CHARGING RATE,THIS OVERCHARGES THE WATER TO ADD BATTERIES,CAUSING ACID VAPORS WHICH ARE EXPLOSIVE .THIS CONDITION IF NOT CORRECTED COULD CAUSE A FIRE.PLEASE INVESTAGATE THIS SITUTATION.INSTALLINGS
---
*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*